Neville suspects England striker Kane carried injury at World Cup

The Tottenham striker's performances for England declined throughout the tournament, leading to speculation he may have been hurt

Gary Neville believes England's Harry Kane was playing with an injury throughout the World Cup knockout stages after the striker misfired in the semi-final defeat to Croatia.

Kane, who scored six goals in Russia to equal Gary Lineker's record for England strikes at a single World Cup, struggled as Gareth Southgate's side slipped to a 2-1 extra-time defeat at the Luzhniki Stadium that ended their hopes of ending over 50 years of hurt.

Former Manchester United and England defender Neville, who was capped 85 times in a 12-year international career, believes an injury hampered Tottenham talisman Kane in the last three games of the campaign.

"Three weeks ago, there wasn't even a connection with the England football team. People looked upon it with some sort of despair. Now, everyone has loved the last three weeks and everyone can be proud of that."

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"There's no doubt there's been progression from two years ago against Iceland," he added, referring to England's elimination from the 2016 European Championship in a 2-1 defeat to the competition's smallest nation.

"The players found it difficult to cope with the pressure in that game. This team can now cope with better moments and better pressure.